What is Long Term Care?

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 01 Episode 08

What is Long Term Care?

Have you noticed a decline in your parents' physical, mental, or spiritual health lately? Do you feel they aren't getting along as well as they used to? Are they staying at home more and not going out? Has your loved one had a recent fall? These are all signs that your parents may need long-term care. Listen to today's episode to discover what long-term care means and when you want to consider accessing long-term care for your parents or loved ones.

What is long-term Care?

Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services and support designed to meet the needs of individuals who have functional or cognitive limitations and require assistance with activities of daily living over an extended period. These services are typically provided to individuals who cannot fully care for themselves due to age, illness, disability, or other factors. Long-term care can encompass a variety of settings, including home care, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and specialized care facilities.

Activities of daily living (ADLs) that individuals might need assistance with include tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, transferring (e.g., getting in and out of bed or a chair), and maintaining continence. Additionally, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as meal preparation, housekeeping, managing medications, and transportation might also be included in long-term care services.

Who provides long-term care?

Long-term care services are often provided by trained professionals, including nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers. Long-term care needs can arise due to age-related factors, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or injuries. Planning for long-term care is an important consideration for individuals and families as they age and encounter changing health needs. Understanding the available options, costs, and resources is important to make informed decisions about long-term care arrangements.

What is the cost of long-term care?

Depending on the level of care needed and the length of care required, you can spend several hundred to several thousand dollars a month for care. Care cost also depends on the geographic area in which care is given. Make sure to follow my podcast and tune into the next episode, where I talk about how to pay for in-home care.

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